Interaction Action

Forms of human communication:

 

Interpersonal communication

According to DeVito, “through interpersonal communication you interact with others, learn about them and about yourself; and reveal, yourself to others…through interpersonal communication you establish, maintain, and sometimes destroy/repair your personal relationships.”

The easiest way to think about interpersonal communication is by comparing it to daily interactions with others. People interact with one another on a day to day basis, whether it’s a daily conversation with a coworker, a deep talk with your parent, or some small talk with a stranger while waiting on the bus.

Professor Donn from Pellissippi State Community College in Knoxville, TN, believes there are four principles of interpersonal communication;

1)    Inescapable

a.    This principle deals with the idea that it is Impossible not to communicate. Even when an individual is trying not to communicate, they are giving off some type of appeal that can be seen as a form of communication. Professor Donn says “people judge you by your behavior, not your intent.”

2)    Irreversible

a.    This principle informs that an individual cannot really take back what they have said, after saying it. Perhaps, somebody says something they do not whole heartedly mean, this still does not change the fact of what has been said, was spoken. Donn quotes the Russian proverb, stating, “ Once a word goes out of your mouth, you can never swallow it again.”

3)    Complicated

a.    This principle speaks on how communication is not as simple as it seems. Donn exposes how theorists claim, that when someone is communicating, “at least six people are involved.”  People around the world have communication yet differing forms of it. Thus this is how communication can be complicated. Even in terms of symbols, another form of communication, people have their own meaning for various symbols; which can be misread.

4)    Contextual

a.    This principle elaborates on how communication does not happen in isolation. According to Donn there are five levels to this:

                                          i.    Psychological context – what or who the individual brings to the interaction

                                        ii.    Relational context – reactions to the other person

                                       iii.    Situational context – the effect of the location and person is communicating in (classroom vs. bar)

                                       iv.    Environmental context – where you are communicating physically

                                        v.    Cultural context – “includes all the learned behaviors and rules that affect the interaction”

http://www.pstcc.edu/facstaff/dking/interpr.htm